MARK BUCHHOLZ | Chairmen

Mark is a proud Veteran of both the United States Air Force and the U.S. Air National Guard, serving from 1984 to 1992. After completing Basic Training in Texas and Technical School in Illinois, he was stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. During his military career, Mark served as a heavy equipment mechanic/operator and refueling specialist. He volunteered for deployment to Germany to participate in multi-nation war games and later supported humanitarian efforts in Jamaica, helping rebuild schools following Hurricane Hugo. Mark’s admiration for the military began early in life. His father, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, shared stories of service that sparked Mark’s deep respect for the Armed Forces and ultimately inspired his own path.

In 1994, Mark married Apryl Brown, who later retired from the U.S. Army National Guard as a Sergeant First Class. Together they have four adult children, seven grandchildren and one great-Grandson. Mark served over 28 years as a Corrections Officer at the Oregon State Penitentiary, retiring in 2019. Although Mark lived in several states growing up, Oregon has been home since 1980. He enjoys traveling, camping, sports, woodworking, and history. But his greatest passion is rockhounding. Mark is happiest in the mountains, deserts, or wilderness searching for thunder eggs, petrified wood, and other unique stones. Mark’s commitment to Veterans deepened in 2009 after hearing a radio interview with service members deployed to Iraq who lacked basic hygiene items. Motivated to help, Mark and several colleagues organized a fundraiser to gather needed supplies. The effort was a tremendous success, resulting in 68 large care packages being shipped to troops in Iraq for Christmas. The heartfelt letters and cards they received in response inspired Mark and his team to continue their mission. Over the years, this mission has grown into Honoring Heroes, now an established multiple award-winning nonprofit organizations. Mark has coordinated and participated in numerous fundraising events—poker runs, auctions, raffles, apparel sales, and more. Honoring Heroes has: Partners with transitional housing centers to support Veterans moving into permanent housing Helped Veterans meet basic needs and navigate life’s challenges Mark’s dedication continues to drive the mission of Honoring Heroes—ensuring that Veterans receive the respect, support, and care they deserve.

Steve is a veteran of the United States Navy. He attended boot camp and training in San Diego, California. After training, he was assigned to the USS Barbour County LST-1195.

He served as active duty from 1989 to 1992. While on board the USS Barbour County, Steve spent 7 months deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Steve was also in the Naval Reserves from 1992 until 1997. Steve’s dad and three of his brothers served in the military as well. You could say patriotism runs high in Steve’s family!

Steve has three children from previous marriages and with the exception of Steve’s active duty time, he has always lived in the Salem-Keizer area. In his free time, Steve enjoys riding dirt bikes & quads, four-wheeling, shooting guns and spending time with his kids.

Steve has been employed by the Oregon Department of Corrections as an Officer at the Oregon State Penitentiary, since 2001. Steve volunteered at the Second Annual Honoring Heroes "Poker Run". Shortly after the event, he was asked to join Honoring Heroes; since Steve enjoys helping Veterans and hearing others stories from when they served, he gladly accepted the invitation.

Erin was born in Portland, Oregon, and has lived there for the majority of her life. She graduated from Oregon State University with a BS in International Business and from the University of Oregon with a Masters in Accounting. She started her career in public accounting and then moved into SEC reporting at a large public company. She now works as an application developer for the same company’s financial planning and reporting tool. Although she no longer works as an accountant, she maintains an active CPA license in the state of Oregon.

While at Oregon State, Erin met the love of her life and eventual husband, Adrian, who is the stepson of Mark Buchholz, Honoring Heroes Chairman. She married into a family with deep military ties. Erin’s family also has military military connections; her maternal grandfather served as Aviation Radioman Second Class with US Navy Composite Squadron Twenty Three on combat planes in the Pacific during WWII. Her paternal grandfather also served in the US Navy during WWII as a Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class aboard U.S.S. Mount Vernon in the South Pacific.

Erin is awed by the sacrifices made by the members of the armed forces. She is proud to be a part of an organization like Honoring Heroes where she can give back to those who have done so much for our country.

Diana has not personally been in the military but comes from a long history of service members. Her father was “Secretary to the General” stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Her grandfather was a Seabee on Manus Island during World War II. Her ex husband (and still friend) was in the Navy on the USS Callaghan in the Persian Gulf and is still a member of the Oregon National Guard. It was as a child observing her father’s commitment to the VFW that created a soft spot in her heart for all things related to military and the needs of our veterans.

Diana, born in Michigan, moved to Salem in 6th grade has one daughter and two grandchildren all living in the Salem area. She is a caregiver for her elderly mother and works as an Office Manager.

Diana is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and learned about Honoring Heroes through Facebook. She immediately felt the need to get involved and help in any way possible to hopefully make a difference for our Veterans.

Apryl Buchholz, Member at Large

Apryl has been volunteering with Honoring Heroes since its very beginning in 2008. Before her work with the organization, she served in the Oregon Army National Guard, retiring in May 2001. She began her Guard career at just 17 years old in January 1977. Throughout much of her service, Apryl worked full time at the Oregon Military Department in Salem, Oregon. She also spent time with the Texas Army National Guard and lived abroad in Germany while serving in a USAR status—an experience she deeply valued.

After 24 years of military service, Apryl transitioned into a second career in Massage Therapy. While still working for the Military Department, she attended school nights and weekends to earn her qualifications. She went on to run a successful private practice as a Licensed Massage Therapist for 20 years, retiring from the profession in September 2021.

Apryl was born in Salem, Oregon, later raised and educated in Washington, and eventually returned to Salem before joining the National Guard. She is married to Mark, an Air Force Veteran and the Chairman and Co-founder of Honoring Heroes. Together, they are grateful for their blended family of four wonderful children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandson, 2 dogs, and 7 cats with very distinct personalities.

Service runs in the family—Apryl’s father also served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, and Fort Benning, GA, in the 1950s. Apryl enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including gardening and exploring the high desert in search of unique rocks. She also loves fiber arts, painting, and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. Apryl is a graduate of Guitars for Vets and strives daily to become better. She approaches life with a “glass half full” perspective and believes in giving back whenever possible. For Apryl, helping Veterans, service members, and their families is one meaningful way she strives to make the world a better place.

DARRIN DECOSTER | Board

Darrin has lived in Michigan, Florida and Oregon.  He joined the Marines after high school, going to Boot Camp and MCT in sunny California.  He then went to Armorer training in Maryland before getting stationed at Camp LeJeune.  After only a month there, he was deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the Battalion Armorer supplying the forward deployments with their armaments.

After serving the remainder of his sentence at Camp LeJeune, Darrin returned to Oregon where he got into the Limited Energy Apprenticeship, receiving his license and continuing in that trade for over 26 years.

He currently enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife of 9 years, bicycling, GOLFING, going to concerts (usually going to 10 or more each year) and volunteering to help Veterans and other non-profits.